Organizers of pro-Palestine marches have reacted to Keir Starmer's statements, warning that any attempt to ban such protests would "strike at the root of freedom of assembly and expression" in the United Kingdom.
Starmer stated in an interview with the BBC that in some cases he would support banning pro-Palestinian protests, while also calling for tougher measures against the language used in them, including the slogan "globalise the intifada".
John Rees, co-founder of the Stop the War Coalition, described the move as a direct threat to the protests the movement is organising. Speaking to Sky News, he said such a ban would undermine the foundations of freedom of expression in the country.
According to him, as long as conflicts and casualties continue in the Middle East, citizens will continue to protest and demand accountability from the British and Israeli governments.
Rees also stressed that problematic cases during the protests are very few in relation to the large number of participants, while organizers intervene to avoid the use of inappropriate slogans.
On the other hand, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for a complete ban on pro-Palestine marches, claiming that they are used as a cover for inciting violence and intimidation against the Jewish community.
